TWI426740B - Ad-hoc network power save system and method - Google Patents

Description

Wireless peer-to-peer network and power saving system and method thereof

The present invention relates to power saving systems within a network, and more particularly to periodic power saving systems within a peer-to-peer wireless network.

A wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi according to the IEEE 802.11 standard) is characterized as being an infrastructure mode network or a peer-to-peer mode network depending on whether a station within the wireless network can communicate directly with other stations within the network. The first (A) diagram illustrates an example of an infrastructure mode wireless network that typically includes access point 2 and stations 4, 6, and 8. In an infrastructure mode network, stations 4, 6 and 8 are not configured to communicate directly with one another, and any communication between stations 4, 6 and 8 must be communicated through access point 2.

In contrast, peer-to-peer mode networks allow each station to communicate directly with each other, as shown in the first (B) diagram. Thus, in a peer-to-peer mode wireless network, there is no central access point to control communication between stations 4, 6, and 8. The peer device is configured to communicate only with other peer devices and cannot communicate with any infrastructure device or any other device connected to the wired network.

Considering that most Wi-Fi devices are portable devices (such as mobile phones, portable game devices, wireless headsets, wireless receivers, wireless speakers, etc.), power consumption becomes the most important thing for Wi-Fi devices. The problem. This allows the IEEE to standardize infrastructure-mode network power-saving communication protocols. However, due to the decentralized nature of the peer-to-peer mode network, the power-saving algorithm is more difficult and complicated to implement when no central access point specifies all decisions related to power consumption within the network.

The present invention allows a peer-to-peer network device to enter a power save mode. The present invention also provides for power consumption decisions made within a peer-to-peer network to improve the implementation of a power save algorithm. Other advantages and benefits of the present invention will also become apparent from the discussion herein.

Thus, in one aspect of the invention, a power saving method in a peer-to-peer network including first and second stations, each having wireless capabilities for direct communication with each other, includes issuing a request to the second station And is to be used for data traffic buffering of the first station in the first predetermined period; collecting the request to buffer data traffic; causing the first station to enter the first power saving mode and continuing the first predetermined period; and letting the second The station will be used for data traffic buffering of the first station during the first predetermined period.

The method further includes causing the first station to exit the first power saving mode after the first predetermined period; and transmitting the buffered data traffic to the first station. Transmitting the buffered data traffic can include transmitting the buffered data traffic from the second station to the first station. The method can further include causing the first and second stations to simultaneously enter the second power saving mode for a second cycle time. The method can further include advertised a primary capability of the second station to buffer data traffic for the first station. The method can further include causing the second station to exit the second power saving mode after the first station exits the second power saving mode. The peer-to-peer network can be a wireless network that uses a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard. The method can further include determining whether the second station has the ability to buffer data traffic for the first station. The method further includes issuing a request to the first station for data traffic buffering for the second station within the second predetermined period; collecting the request to buffer data traffic to be used for the second station; causing the second The station enters the second power saving mode and continues for the second predetermined period; and causes the first station to use the data traffic buffer of the second station in the second predetermined period. The method further includes causing the second station to exit the second power saving mode after the second predetermined period; and transmitting the buffered data traffic to the second station. Transmitting the buffered data traffic to the second station may include transmitting the buffered data traffic from the first station to the second station. The method can further include determining whether the first station has the ability to buffer data traffic for the second station. The method further includes preventing the first station from entering the first power saving mode if the second station requests the first station to buffer the data traffic for the second station; and avoiding if the first station requests the second station The second station enters the second power saving mode when the station buffers the data traffic for the first station. The method further includes preventing the first station from entering the first power saving mode if the request has been received within a predetermined time period after the first station transmits the request; and if transmitting the second station from the second station When the request has been received within a predetermined time period after a request, the second station is prevented from entering the second power saving mode. The method further includes causing the slave station to exit the power save mode after the predetermined period of time; and causing the primary station to transmit the buffered data traffic to the slave station. The method further includes propagating the primary capability of the primary station to buffer data traffic for any of the plurality of stations within the peer-to-peer network; and determining whether the primary station has the primary capability to buffer for the plurality of stations A data flow. The peer-to-peer network can be a wireless network that uses a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of stations are included, and the plurality of stations include a primary station and at least one subordinate station that cannot buffer other station traffic, and each station has a wireless capability to directly communicate with other stations. The method of saving power in the road includes issuing a request to the primary station for buffering data traffic of the slave station within a predetermined period; collecting the request to buffer data traffic; causing the slave station to enter a power saving mode and continuing the a predetermined period; and let the slave station use the data traffic buffer of the primary station for the predetermined period.

The first station has primary capabilities for buffering data traffic for other stations within the peer-to-peer network for a second predetermined period and configured to collect a request from the second station to allow the second station to enter the second province The electrical mode, and wherein the second station is configurable to determine if any of the stations within the peer-to-peer network have the primary capability. When the first station collects the request from the second station, the second station may enter the second power saving mode for the second predetermined period, and the first station transmits the second predetermined period after the second station The buffered data flow is given to the second station. The first station may be configured to not enter the first power saving mode if the second station requests the first station to buffer the data traffic for the second station, and the second station may be configured to be the first The station requires the second station to buffer the data traffic for the first station without entering the second power saving mode. If the request is received within a predetermined time period from the first station transmitting the request, the first station does not enter the first power saving mode, and wherein if the second station transmits the first one If the request is received within a predetermined period of time required to begin, the second station will not enter the second power saving mode. The primary and secondary stations can be configured to simultaneously enter the second power saving mode for a second cycle time. The primary station can be configured to exit the second power saving mode after the slave station exits the second power saving mode. The peer-to-peer network can be a wireless network that uses a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard.

Still in other aspects of the invention, a peer-to-peer network includes a first station having wireless communication capabilities and configured to determine if any of the peer-to-peer networks have primary capabilities that can be used for the peer The data traffic of other stations in the network is buffered for a first predetermined period; the second station has wireless communication capability and the primary capability, and is configured to collect a request from the first station to allow the first station to enter the first province An electrical mode; and wherein the first station enters the first power saving mode for the first predetermined period when the second station collects the request, and the second station transmits the buffered data after the first predetermined period The traffic is given to the first station. A power saving system in a peer-to-peer network including first and second stations, each having wireless capabilities for direct communication with each other, the system further comprising: a means for issuing a request to the second station Means to be used for buffering data traffic of the first station in a first predetermined period; a device for collecting the request to buffer data traffic; and a device for causing the first station to enter a first power saving mode and continuing the a first predetermined period; and a means for causing the second station to buffer data traffic for the first station within the first predetermined period.

A machine readable medium containing stored instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to save power in a peer-to-peer network having a plurality of stations, the instructions comprising: an instruction Determining whether the first station has the ability to buffer data traffic for the second station; an instruction for requesting that the at least one station is to be used for data traffic buffering of the second station in the first predetermined period; Means for collecting a request to buffer data traffic to be used for the second station; an instruction for causing the second station to enter the first power saving mode and continuing the first predetermined period; an instruction for the first a station will be used for buffering the data flow of the second station in the second predetermined period; an instruction for causing the second station to exit the first power saving mode after the first predetermined period; and, an instruction, Transmitting the buffered data stream to the second station.

Other features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be disclosed or understood in consideration of the appended claims. In addition, the present invention and the following detailed description of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

The specific embodiments of the present invention, as well as the features and advantages of It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that those skilled in the art should understand that the features of a particular embodiment can be implemented in other specific embodiments. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted, but this does not obscure the specific embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are merely to assist in the understanding of the practice of the invention and the embodiments of the invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art. For example, the present invention is described in terms of a Wi-Fi network according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, but we will understand that the present invention is not so limited. The invention can be widely applied to any peer-to-peer wireless network, and other wireless networks with features and characteristics. Therefore, the examples and specific examples herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the claims and the applicable rules. Furthermore, it is noted that like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings.

The present invention relates to a periodic power saving communication protocol for a peer-to-peer network. Different devices within the peer-to-peer network can take over the primary role when other slave devices enter the power save mode. The primary device receives data from other devices and transmits the buffered data when the slave devices wake up. This agreement allows for power savings between devices. The aspects of the invention will be described in more detail below.

The second (A), second (B), third (A), third (B), and third (C) diagrams illustrate examples of peer-to-peer mode network configurations. Depending on the similarity of capabilities between devices within the network (ie, stations, nodes, etc.), the peer-to-peer mode network is characterized by a symmetric peer-to-peer mode network or an asymmetric peer-to-peer mode network. The second (A) and second (B) diagrams illustrate examples of symmetric peer-to-peer mode networks in which the device has similar capabilities such as, for example, processing power, memory, battery life, and the like. In particular, the second (A) diagram illustrates two walkie-talkies or mobile phones 12 and 14, which have the same or substantially the same capabilities as peer-to-peer mode network connections. This connection allows instant multi-user voice communication over a peer-to-peer mode network. When devices 12 and 14 are not in use, it may be necessary to turn off one or two devices to save power. Since there is no central access point to perform the power saving mode, the power saving mode agreement is executed on all devices in the network, and there is no extra burden on any particular device. For example, each of devices 12 and 14 may be in turn responsible for acting as a primary device for performing power saving algorithms within the network.

Similarly, the second (B) of the same figure shows two portable game device 16 and 18 (Sony ^TM PSP ^TM or the like, for example), which is connected to another network through peer mode. This connection provides instant multiplayer gaming experience to those using portable gaming devices 16 and 18. When devices 16 and 18 are not in use, devices 16 and 18 will communicate with each other to determine which device will be responsible for performing the "main" power saving protocol for the network. The "primary" device allows other devices in the network (ie, slave devices) to enter the power save mode and buffer the data traffic for the slave devices, as described in more detail below. It should be understood that walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and gaming devices are merely illustrative of the types of devices that can be connected within a symmetric peer-to-peer network.

The third (A), third (B), and third (C) diagrams illustrate examples of asymmetric peer-to-peer mode network configurations in which peer devices have different capabilities. For example, the third (A) diagram illustrates an asymmetric peer-to-peer mode network including a mobile phone 20 and a wireless receiver 22. In general, the wireless receiver 22 is far less capable than the mobile phone 20, so it may not be possible to perform a power-saving algorithm for the peer-to-peer network. In this case, the power saving agreement can utilize the capabilities of the mobile phone 20, in which case the mobile phone is permanently responsible for being the primary device and the receiver 22 is permanently treated as the slave device. Similarly, the third (B) diagram illustrates a PC (Personal Computer) 24 and a wireless headset 26 connected to each other through a peer-to-peer mode network, wherein in the execution of the power saving mode, the PC 24 operates as a primary device and the wireless headset 26 operates as a Slave device. In the third (C) diagram, the more capable audio device 30 can perform the power saving mode as the permanent primary device of the wireless speaker 32. Again, these examples are merely illustrative of the types of devices that can be connected within an asymmetric peer-to-peer network.

The fourth (A) diagram illustrates a flow chart for a method of power saving in a symmetric peer-to-peer network constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As described above, in an asymmetric peer-to-peer mode network, each device can be used as a primary device within the network with the ability to perform a power saving algorithm. Thus, it is assumed that stations A and B (for example, walkie-talkies 12 and 14 in the second (A) diagram, respectively) can perform a power saving algorithm without excessive burden. As shown in steps 40 and 42, stations 12 and 14 will promote their primary capabilities to other stations within the network. This primary capability includes the ability to specify data buffers for other stations within the network that are in sleep (power saving) mode. After confirming that station B has the primary capability, station A can transmit a power saving entry request to station B, as shown in step 44. The power saving entry request may include the station A wireless beacon uplink IEEE action management frame transmitted to station B. The frame can contain information about the sleep cycle of station A. The power saving entry request may include an uplink IEEE Action Management frame transmitted from the slave device to the primary device. The ability to implement this agreement can be advertised in the station's wireless beacons and detection responses. The power saving entry request/response can be transmitted using the IEEE Action Management frame. Further, the power saving entry request may include information about the wake-up frequency of the slave station (referred to as the sleep cycle), and the power-saving entry response may include information about some service periods in which the primary device buffers the traffic for the slave device.

Stations A and B may transmit their individual power saving entry requirements to each other. To avoid collisions, each station can be configured to remain in full power mode when receiving requests from other stations. Each station can then calculate a random backup and re-attempt to enter a power save mode when expired, or as the primary device remains in full power mode when the backup of other stations expires earlier.

According to the request from station A, station B becomes the primary device and station A becomes the secondary device. As shown in step 46, station B can transmit a power saving entry response to station A. The power saving entry response can be included in the IEEE Action Management frame. The power saving entry response may include the maximum service period of the data traffic buffer that the primary station B will use for the dependent station A. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the service period may be defined as the period between the point of receipt of the uplink trigger from the dependent station A to the end of the primary station B delivery service period (EOSP) indication. The primary station B can treat each of the chain frames with the set of trigger bits from the dependent station A as a service period. For Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) applications, for example, the WWM EOSP bit within the Quality of Service (QOS) field can be used as a trigger bit for a dependent station within the uplink direction. For non-WMM applications, for example, the "More Data" bit in the IEEE 802.11 Frame Control Bar can be used as a trigger bit.

In step 46, after receiving the power save entry response from the primary station B, the dependent station A may enter the power save mode, as shown in step 48. The primary station B begins to buffer the data traffic for the secondary station A, as shown in step 50. When in the power saving mode, the dependent station A will not be a beacon and advertise its ability as a primary station. Each time the slave station A wakes up, it will transmit the uplink trigger frame to the primary station B by using the trigger bit "collection mode". The slave station A can surely transmit a trigger frame within each wake-up period. If the slave station A has more than one frame in each wake-up period, the slave station A can transmit the subsequent frame by using the trigger bit "uncollected mode". If the slave station A does not transmit the uplink data, the "empty" winding trigger frame is transmitted by the trigger bit set method. In addition, all of the uplink frames from the slave station A have power management bits set to "1" in the IEEE 802.11 frame control field. The primary station B then uses the buffer for the downlink information of the slave station A to respond to the trigger frame. The latest downlink frame from the main station B can be an EOSP bit set. For WMM applications, the EOSP can be marked in the main station B in the downlink direction using the WMM EOSP bit in the QOS information field. For non-WMM applications, the "More Information" bit in the IEEE 802.11 Frame Control Bar can be used as an EOSP indication. If the unbuffered downlink data is used for the slave station A, the primary station B can transmit the null data frame with the EOSP bit set. In addition, in one example, the system can be configured to use the trigger bit uncollected mode to transmit the uplink frame from the slave station A without causing the primary station B to clear the power save queue for the individual slave stations.

After reaching the maximum number of service periods allowed by the primary station B, the primary station B will stop buffering the data traffic for the secondary station A. The slave station A ends the power saving mode in step 52. In step 54, the data is buffered by the primary station B and forwarded to the secondary station A. Subordinate station A and main station B can utilize the ability to recover the wireless beacon and advertise its role as the primary station, as shown in steps 56 and 58. Both stations A and B then calculate a random backup and become a slave when the backup expires. The steps shown in the fourth (A) diagram can be repeated. Because each station can take turns to experience subordinate or primary roles, the power consumption problem of all stations in the network will gradually improve without overburdening specific stations. For example, assuming that each station spends the same amount of time in both the primary and secondary roles, the power saving agreement can reduce the power consumption of the dependent cases by up to 75%. Further, compared to the full power mode, the agreement can reduce the power consumption of the primary and secondary stations by up to 38%. As the number of subordinate stations increases, it will save more power.

The fourth (B) diagram illustrates a flow chart of a power saving method in an asymmetric peer-to-peer network constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, an asymmetric peer-to-peer network may include a mobile phone 20 and a wireless receiver 22 as the primary device illustrated in the third (A) diagram. As mentioned above, within an asymmetric peer-to-peer network, only one station can have primary capabilities. In this way, step 60 of the main ability to promote the promotion and the main/subordinate power saving entry request/response steps 62 and 64 (ie, primary/subordinate hand shake). For example, the main station will return 0xFFFF in the highest service period column as a "main undefined" indication. As the role has been determined at the production stage, some implementations using pre-prepared master/slave configurations can ignore primary/dependent jitters between stations. In addition to these differences, the power saving protocol illustrated in the fourth (B) diagram can be performed similarly to the steps performed in the fourth (A) diagram for the symmetric peer to peer power saving mode. For example, after performing the primary/slave jitter shown in steps 62 and 64, the slave station 22 enters the power save mode in step 66, and the primary station 20 buffers the data traffic for the slave station 22 in step 68. When the slave station 22 wakes up from the power save mode at step 70, the primary station 20 transmits the buffered data traffic to the slave station 22 at step 72. If the slave station 22 is not used frequently, more power can be saved by having the slave station 22 enter the power save mode.

To further save power, the primary station 20 can enter the power save mode using the sleep cycle of the slave station 22 after transmitting the downlink frame using the EOSP byte. For example, when receiving the uplink frame from the slave station 22 using the set of trigger bits, the primary station 20 can start the sleep timer, and the remaining time is set at some point before the slave station 22 wakes up. The sleep timer includes a deviation that takes into account any timing errors within the sleep clock to determine that the primary station 20 wakes up before the next slave station wakes up. The primary station 20 can exchange data with the EOSP bit set within the latest downlink frame to the secondary station 22. After transmitting the frame using the EOSP bit set, both the primary and the secondary stations enter the power saving mode. The slave station 22 does not need to transmit any frames after receiving the downlink using the EOSP bit set. In this case, if the primary and secondary stations save 75% of the power in the power saving mode, the entire system can save up to 75%.

Referring now to the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth drawings, a number of exemplary applications of the present invention are shown. Referring to the fifth figure, the present invention can be implemented in the hard disk drive 500. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, which is indicated at 502 in the fifth diagram. In some implementations, signal processing and/or control circuitry 502 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within HDD 500 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform computations, and output to or receive from magnetic storage. The format of the media 506 is formatted.

The HDD 500 can be coupled to a host device such as a computer (not shown), a mobile computing device such as a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a media or MP3 player, etc., and other devices that communicate over one or more wired or wireless communication links 508. communication. The HDD 500 can be connected to a memory 509 such as a random access memory (RAM), low latency non-volatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM) and/or other suitable electronic material. Storage device.

Referring to the sixth figure, the present invention can be embodied in a digital versatile disc (DVD) machine 511. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, both of which are represented by 512 on the sixth diagram, and/or a plurality of data storage devices 518 of the DVD player 511. Signal processing and/or control circuitry 512 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within DVD 511 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform computations, and/or read or write to optical storage media 516. Formatted data. In some implementations, signal processing and/or control circuitry 512 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within DVD 511 may also perform other functions, such as encoding and/or decoding and any other signal processing accompanying the DVD player. Features.

The DVD player 511 can communicate with an output device (not shown) via one or more wired or wireless communication links 517, such as a computer, television or other device. The DVD 511 can communicate with a large number of data storage devices 518 that store data in a non-volatile manner. The DVD 511 can be connected to a memory 519 such as a RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage device.

Referring to the seventh diagram, the present invention can be embodied in a high definition television (HDTV) 520. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, which is shown at 522 in the seventh diagram as a WLAN interface and/or a large number of data storage devices for HDTV 520. The HDTV 520 receives HDTV input signals in a wired or wireless format and produces HDTV output signals for the display 526. In some implementations, signal processing circuitry and/or control circuitry 522 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within HDTV 520 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform computations, data formatting, and/or execution needs. Any kind of HDTV processing.

The HDTV 520 can communicate with a large number of data storage devices 527 that store data in a non-volatile manner, such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. The HDTV 520 can be coupled to a memory 528, such as RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage devices. HDTV 520 also supports WLAN connection via WLAN network interface 529.

Referring now to the eighth diagram, the present invention can be implemented in a plurality of data storage devices of the control system of the vehicle 530, the WLAN interface, and/or the vehicle control system. In some implementations, the present invention implements a transmission control system 532 that receives inputs from one or more sensors 536, such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a rotational sensor, a gas flu detector, and/or Or other suitable sensors, and/or outputs 538, such as engine operating parameters, gearbox operating parameters, and/or control signals, generate one or more output control signals.

The invention may also be embodied in other control systems 540 of the vehicle 530. Control system 540 can similarly receive signals from input sensor 542 and/or output control signals to one or more output devices 544. In some implementations, the control system 540 can be an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a navigation system, a telemetry system, a vehicle telemetry system, a lane departure system, a compliant cruise control system, a vehicle such as a stereo, a DVD, a CD, etc. system. Other implementations are still considered here.

Transmission control system 532 can communicate with a plurality of data storage devices 546 that store data in a non-volatile manner. The mass data storage device 546 can include optical and/or magnetic storage devices such as a hard disk drive HDD and/or DVD. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. Transmission control system 532 can be coupled to memory 547, such as RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage devices. Transmission control system 532 also supports connection to WLAN via WLAN network interface 548. Control system 540 can also include a large number of data storage devices, memory and/or WLAN interfaces (all not shown).

Referring to the ninth diagram at this time, the present invention can be embodied in a mobile phone 550 including a mobile antenna 551. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, both of which are shown at 552 in the ninth diagram, as well as a plurality of data storage devices for the WLAN interface and/or mobile telephone 550. In some implementations, the mobile phone 550 includes a microphone 556, a sound output 558 such as a speaker and/or a sound output socket, a display 560, and/or an input device 562 such as a keyboard, pointing device, voice activated, and/or the like. Input device. Signal processing and/or control circuitry 552 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within mobile phone 550 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data, and/or perform other mobile phone functions.

The mobile phone 550 can communicate with a plurality of data storage devices 564 that store data in a non-volatile manner, such as an optical and/or magnetic storage device, such as a hard disk drive HDD and/or DVD. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. Mobile phone 550 can be coupled to memory 566, such as RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage devices. The mobile phone 550 also supports connection to the WLAN via the WLAN network interface 568.

Referring to the tenth figure at this time, the present invention can be embodied in the set top box 580. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, which is represented at 584 in the tenth diagram as a plurality of data storage devices for the WLAN interface and/or set-top box 580. The set-top box 580 receives signals from sources such as broadcast sources and outputs standard and/or high-fidelity sound/video signals suitable for display 588, such as televisions and/or monitors and/or other video and/or sound. Output device. Signal processing and/or control circuitry 584 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within set-top box 580 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data, and/or execute any other set-top box. Features.

The set-top box 580 can communicate with a plurality of data storage devices 590 that store data in a non-volatile manner. The mass data storage device 590 can include optical and/or magnetic storage devices such as a hard disk drive HDD and/or DVD. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. The set-top box 580 can be connected to a memory 594, such as a RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage device. The set-top box 580 also supports connection to the WLAN via the WLAN network interface 596.

Referring to FIG. 11 at this time, the present invention can be embodied in the media player 600. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, which is shown at 604 in FIG. 11 as a WLAN interface and/or mass media storage device for media player 600. In some implementations, media player 600 includes display 607 and/or user input 608, such as a keyboard, a touchpad, and the like. In some implementations, the media player 600 can utilize a graphical user interface (GUI), typically utilizing a function table, a drop down menu, a graphical and/or pointing interface via display 607 and/or user input 608. The media player 600 further includes a sound output 609, such as a speaker and/or a sound output socket. Signal processing and/or control circuitry 604 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within media player 600 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data, and/or execute any other media player. Features.

The media player 600 can communicate with a plurality of data storage devices 610 that store data in a non-volatile manner, such as compressed sound and/or video content. In some implementations, the compressed sound file contains files that conform to the MP3 format or other suitable compressed sound and/or video format. A large number of data storage devices may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices such as hard disk drives HDD and/or DVD. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. Media player 600 can be coupled to memory 614, such as RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage devices. The media player 600 also supports connection to the WLAN via the WLAN network interface 616.

Referring now to the twelfth diagram, the present invention can be embodied in a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephone 650 that includes an antenna 618. The present invention can implement signal processing and/or control circuitry, which is represented at 604 in FIG. 12 as a plurality of data storage devices for the wireless interface and/or VoIP telephone 650. In some implementations, the VoIP phone 650 portion includes a microphone 610, a sound output 612 such as a speaker and/or a sound output socket, a display 614, an input device such as a keyboard, pointing device, voice activated, and/or other input device 616 and Wi-Fi communication module 608. Signal processing and/or control circuitry 604 and/or other circuitry (not shown) within VoIP phone 650 can process data, perform encoding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data, and/or perform other VoIP telephony functions.

The VoIP phone 650 can communicate with a plurality of data storage devices 602 that store data in a non-volatile manner, such as an optical and/or magnetic storage device, such as a hard disk drive HDD and/or DVD. At least one DVD has the configuration shown in the sixth figure. VoIP phone 650 can be coupled to memory 606, such as RAM, ROM, low latency non-volatile memory, such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage devices. The VoIP phone 650 can be configured to establish a communication link with a VoIP network (not shown) via the Wi-Fi communication module 608. Other implementations are still considered plus the description above.

In accordance with many embodiments of the present invention, the methods described herein are for operation using proprietary hardware implementations including, but not limited to, semiconductors, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays, and construction to implement this. The location describes the method and other hardware devices of the module. Moreover, many of the specific embodiments of the invention described herein are for operation with a software program executing on a computer processor. Still further, alternative software implementations may be used, including but not limited to decentralized processing or component/object decentralized processing, parallel processing, virtual machine processing, any future enhancements, or any future communication protocol to implement the methods described herein.

It should also be noted that the software implementation of the invention described herein can be selectively stored on a physical storage medium such as magnetic media such as a magnetic disk or magnetic tape, optical magnetic or optical media such as a compact disc, or solid state media. A memory card or other package that holds one or more read-only (non-volatile) memory, random access memory, or other writable (volatile) memory. Email attachments, other self-contained information archives, or compressed archive collections may consider decentralized media equivalent to physical storage media. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates the inclusion of physical storage media or distributed media, as listed herein, and includes industry-recognized equivalents and subsequent media in which the software embodied herein is stored.

The present invention has been described by way of example embodiments, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example, the station of the present invention can be any device that can communicate wirelessly, and the invention can be implemented using standards other than the IEEE 802.11 standard, such as Bluetooth and similar standards. The above examples are merely illustrative and are not meant to include all possible designs, specific embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

2. . . Pick up point

4. . . Platform

6. . . Platform

8. . . Platform

12. . . mobile phone

14. . . mobile phone

16. . . Portable game device

18. . . Portable game device

20. . . mobile phone

twenty two. . . Wireless receiver

twenty four. . . PC

26. . . Wireless Headphones

30. . . Audio device

32. . . Wireless speaker

500. . . Hard disk drive

502. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

506. . . Magnetic storage media

508. . . Communication link

511. . . DVD player

512. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

516. . . Optical storage medium

517. . . Communication link

518. . . Large data storage device

519. . . Memory

520. . . High definition TV

522. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

526. . . monitor

527. . . Large data storage device

528. . . Memory

529. . . WLAN network interface

530. . . vehicle

532. . . Transmission control system

536. . . Sensor

538. . . Output

540. . . Control System

542. . . Input sensor

544. . . Output device

546. . . Large data storage device

547. . . Memory

548. . . WLAN network interface

550. . . mobile phone

551. . . Mobile antenna

552. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

556. . . microphone

558. . . Sound output

560. . . monitor

562. . . Input device

564. . . Large data storage device

566. . . Memory

568. . . WLAN network interface

580. . . Set-top box

584. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

588. . . monitor

590. . . Large data storage device

594. . . Memory

596. . . WLAN network interface

600. . . media Player

604. . . Signal processing and / or control circuit

607. . . monitor

608. . . User input

609. . . Sound output

610. . . Large data storage device

614. . . Memory

616. . . WLAN network interface

618. . . antenna

650. . . Voice over internet

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and in in The details of the structure of the present invention are not intended to be described in detail, but rather the basic understanding of the invention and many possible ways. In the drawings: the first (A) and the first (B) diagrams respectively illustrate an example of an infrastructure mode network and a peer-to-peer mode network; the second (A) and second (B) diagrams illustrate symmetric equivalence Examples of networks; third (A), third (B), and third (C) diagrams illustrate examples of asymmetric peer-to-peer networks; fourth (A) diagrams illustrate symmetry constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention A flowchart of a power saving method in a peer-to-peer network; and a fourth (B) diagram is a flow chart of a power saving method in an asymmetric peer-to-peer network constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 5 through 12 show many exemplary implementations of the invention.

12. . . mobile phone

14. . . mobile phone

40. . . step

42. . . step

44. . . step

46. . . step

48. . . step

50. . . step

52. . . step

54. . . step

56. . . step

58. . . step

Claims (25)

A power saving method in a peer-to-peer network including a first station and a second station, wherein the first station and the second station each have a corresponding network interface, and the network interface is configured to be paired with the pair The wireless communication of other stations in the network, the method comprising: transmitting a publicity from the first station, wherein the first station has the capability to buffer the publicity of data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer network; Responding to the aforementioned transmission of the advertisement, which is that the first station has the ability to buffer the propaganda of the data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer-to-peer network, and receives a request at the first station, which is buffered for the second station. The data flow of the station continues for a period of time; and in response to the foregoing receiving the request at the first station, a response is transmitted from the first station to the request, wherein the response confirms acceptance of the request, buffering at the first station Data traffic to be used for the second station; and after buffering the data traffic to be used for the second station, transmitting the buffered data traffic to the second station from the first station to The second station. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to receiving the request, buffering a request for data flow of the second station to prevent the first station from entering a power saving mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of the period corresponds to a length of time, and the second station enters a first power saving mode within the length of the period. The method of claim 3, further comprising, when the second station enters the first power saving mode, causing the first station to enter a second power saving mode. The method of claim 4, further comprising causing the first station to exit the second power saving mode before the second station exits the first power saving mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the response includes an indication of a length of time that the first station will be an indication of the length of time that the second station buffers data traffic. The method of claim 1, wherein the peer-to-peer network uses a wireless network of a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard. A first station for a peer-to-peer network, the first station comprising: a network interface, wherein the network interface is configured to: transmit a promotion, wherein the first station has the capability to buffer the The publicity of the data traffic of other stations in the peer-to-peer network, in response to the aforementioned transmission of the publicity, is that the first station has the ability to buffer the publicity of the data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer-to-peer network, and receive a request, It buffers the data traffic to be used for the second station for a period of time; and in response to the request received by the first station, transmits a response to the request, wherein the response confirms acceptance of the request, buffering Data flow for the second station; and after buffering the data traffic to be used for the second station, the buffer is used for the second station The data flow of the station. For example, the first station of claim 8 of the patent scope, wherein the network interface is further configured to buffer the request for data flow of the second station in response to the request to receive the first station, avoiding the first station Enter a power saving mode. For example, in the first station of claim 8 of the patent scope, wherein the period of the period corresponds to a length of time, the second station enters a first power saving mode within the length of the period. For example, the first station of claim 10, wherein the network interface is further configured to cause the first station to enter a second power saving mode when the second station enters the first power saving mode. The first station of claim 11, wherein the network interface is further configured to cause the first station to exit the second power saving mode before the second station exits the first power saving mode. For example, the first station of claim 8 of the patent scope, wherein the peer-to-peer network uses a wireless network of a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard. A power saving method in a peer-to-peer network including a first station and a second station, wherein the first station and the second station each have a corresponding network interface, and the network interface is configured to be paired with the pair And other stations in the network for wireless communication, the method comprising: receiving a publicity at the first station, wherein the second station is capable of buffering the publicity of data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer network; Responding to the aforementioned receipt of the promotion, the second station has the ability to buffer the promotion of data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer-to-peer network, Transmitting, from the first station, a first request for buffering data traffic to be used for the first station for a period of a first period; and in response to transmitting the first request to the first station, The first station receives a response to the first request, wherein the response confirms acceptance of the first request, causing the first station to enter a power save mode; and after buffering the data traffic to be used for the first station And after the first station exits the power saving mode, receiving, by the first station, the buffered data traffic to be used for the first station. The method of claim 14, wherein the first period of the segment corresponds to a length of time, and the first station enters the power saving mode within the length of the period. The method of claim 14, wherein: the response to the first request indicates a second period, the second period corresponds to a length of time, and the second station buffers for the length of time The data flow of the first station, and causing the first station to enter the power saving mode, includes causing the first station to enter the power saving mode and continuing the second period of the segment. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving, at the first station, a second request, in a third period from the first station transmitting the first request, buffering is used for the first The request for the data flow of the second station; and in response to the foregoing receiving the second request, buffering the data traffic to be used for the second station during the third period of the period from the transmission of the first request by the first station Requirements, The first station is prevented from entering the power saving mode. The method of claim 17, further comprising, in response to the foregoing receiving the second request, the buffer is to be used for the second period from the third period of the first station transmitting the first request The data flow requirement of the station: calculating a random standby period at the first station; and transmitting a third request from the first station in response to the passage of the spare period, the buffer is used for the first station Data flow continues for the fourth period. The method of claim 14, wherein the peer-to-peer network uses a wireless network of a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the Bluetooth standard. A first station for a peer-to-peer network, the first station comprising: a network interface, wherein the network interface is configured to receive a promotion from a second station, the second station having the capability Buffering the propaganda of data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer-to-peer network, in response to receiving the advertisement, the second station is capable of buffering the data traffic to be used for other stations in the peer-to-peer network. Transmitting a first request to the second station, which buffers the data traffic to be used for the first station and continues for a period of the first period, in response to the transmitting the first request to the first station, The second station receives a response to the first request, wherein the response confirms acceptance of the first request, And causing the first station to enter a power saving mode, and after buffering the data traffic to be used for the first station, and after exiting the power saving mode, receiving the buffered to be used for the first station Data flow. For example, in the first station of claim 20, wherein the first period of the period corresponds to a length of time, the first station will enter the power saving mode within the length of the period. For example, in the first station of claim 20, wherein: the response to the first request indicates a second period, the second period corresponds to a length of time, and the second station will buffer in the length of the period. The data traffic for the first station, and the network interface being configured to cause the first station to enter the power saving mode includes causing the first station to enter the power saving mode and continuing the second period of the segment. The first station of claim 20, wherein the network interface is configured to receive a second request from the first station, which is a third period from the first station transmitting the first request And buffering the request for the data flow of the second station; and in response to receiving the second request, the buffer is used in the third period of the period from the first station transmitting the first request The data flow of the second station is required to prevent the first station from entering the power saving mode. The first station of claim 23, wherein the network interface is further configured to, in response to receiving the second request, the third period of the period from the first station transmitting the first request Internally, buffering the data traffic requirements for the second station: calculating a random standby period, and transmitting a third request in response to the passed spare period, which buffers the data to be used for the first station The flow continues for a fourth period. For example, the first station of claim 20, wherein the peer-to-peer network uses a wireless network of communication protocols selected from the group consisting of the IEEE 802.11 standards.